Comments (0)More Silbergs
November 6, 2009I enjoyed the October 9 article “Having Fun In Business” about Keith Silberg. What needs to be known is that he is donating a portion of each auction sale proceeds to the Associated. Today, so many young people who have an opportunity to give financially or by volunteering their time haven’t been cultivated to do so. Keith feels strongly about sharing his success with others. We need more Keith Silbergs.
Louie Rosenstock
Baltimore
Mentor Rabbi
November 6, 2009My first years of pulpit service were at Baltimore’s Beth El, where I had the honor and privilege of being Rabbi Jacob Agus’s first assistant from 1972 to 1975. Rabbi Mark G. Loeb was gifted to serve as Rabbi Agus’s assistant, too.
Regarding your wonderful Oct. 16 tribute articles to Rabbi Mark Loeb, I add that although he was not the oldest rabbi among us, he acted as a friend and Big Brother to those of us privileged to serve this great Beth El congregation as Rabbis.
When I met with colleagues who also served as assistant rabbis at Beth El, we had similar stories. Rabbi Loeb helped us or advised us about some aspect of each of our rabbinic careers, which was of enormous help. We heard this from each other, but never from Rabbi Loeb. He did his good deeds for his colleagues at the highest level… for its own sake’, without publicizing his helpfulness with anyone else.
When I came to Detroit a decade-and-a-half ago to serve Adat Shalom Synagogue, a plant from Rabbi Loeb accompanied by a warm personal note was already on my desk. As I type, I see that 15-year-old plant on my round table in my synagogue office and think of how joyful I felt when I first noticed it. Rabbi Loeb sat with me at that round table after Adat Shalom Services on the first day of Rosh Hashanah 5769-2008 and we commented on the plant’s durability. He and I smiled. I will remember those smiles and be appreciative of being able to share tefillah with Rabbi Loeb a little more than a year ago today.
He was what you wrote: a wonderful friend and an outstanding Rabbi. I will miss him.
Rabbi Herb Yoskowitz
Farmington Hills, Mich.
Prefix Or Fixed?
November 6, 2009In reference to an advertisement on page 45 of the October 30 issue in which an advertiser offers a “prefix menu,” I assume that I could order unsweetened iced tea as my drink, salad with nonfat dressing, mini-rolls with polyunsaturated margarine, a demitasse of soup, and an entrée consisting of a super-sized hamburger and refried beans. After a dessert of a mousse made with semi-sweet chocolate, I would end it all with decaffeinated coffee.
Does anyone out there proofread advertising copy?
Jeff Amdur
Baltimore
Go Forth
November 6, 2009Rabbi Gila Ruskin’s beautiful Torah commentary “Be a Blessing” on last week’s Torah portion “Lech Lekha” was excellent in terms of her examples of Abraham being a mentsch, for which his good deeds sets the example for us all. But when I read the words “Go for yourself from your land, from your relatives, and your father’s house (birth place) to the land that I will show you. (Israel) This really hit home.
Why? Because I want to make aliyah to Israel with my husband, but we keep making excuses or putting it off due to family concerns. While we read “Lech Lecha” every year, this time I had to wrestle with this issue and question. If Abraham and Sarah had to leave their parents to start a new life, G-d must have had a good reason to urge them to leave because we are also taught in the Torah to honor our parents.
Now it would seem that leaving one’s parents in their older years would not be a way to honor them. Yet, we are taught that Abraham’s father was an idol maker and that goes against G-d’s Torah laws. However, we are not given any information about Sarah’s parents if they were doing anything that would be a problem.
As for our parents, neither of them were or are idol makers. So how do modern day Jews like us in the Diaspora deal with this?
Rabbi Ruskin and the Torah remind us of the tests Abraham had to endure. And how our Sages teach us: “By definition, a heavenly test is one that forces a person to choose between G-d’s will and his own nature or understanding of what is right.” In my “Stone Commentary” of Lech Lecha it stated: “Clearly, it would be no challenge to Abraham, who was the epitome of kindness, to be asked to help the needy, but it would be a supreme test of faith for him to desert his aged father and homeland or give up his cherished beloved son as an offering.”
Will this be our test? Will all of us Jews be tested to some degree? After all, in these more modern times we can still be in touch and love our family from a far. We can write, call or e-mail them daily, send pictures via the internet and/or visit them once or twice a year. Or better yet try to get them to join us.
Also, I love my only living parent, my dear mother, and care deeply about my siblings, brother and sister, and of course we love our daughter and grandson, along with some cousins and relatives and/or friends who are more like family to us. Nevertheless, something in “Lech Lekha” keeps pulling at my heart that we must go. And it’s later than we think. Abraham and Sarah were 65 and 75 when they left Iraq, Lenny and I are senior citizens, too. But Israel needs all of us Jews to be there for them morally, spiritually and financially. These are difficult times when Israel cannot depend on the U.N. or this new American administration and other nations for its survival. Only trust in HaShem will save us.
I read according to our Sages: “Man’s highest goal is to accept the Divine wisdom as the sole truth.” And the truth for me, is not according to the Obama administration’s czar’s goals that go against our Torah or the Acorn organization’s way of doing things.
Well, there you have it; I guess that solves it for me. We all can certainly be a blessing when we do good deeds, but also when we do the hard things which are usually the right things to do even if you have to sever some ties to reach that highest Jewish goal of eternal purpose and Jewish destiny: Total trust and faith in Hashem in The Land of Israel.
I came to this conclusion that if there are Jews who are drawn to the” Lech Lekha” call, then it must be G-d’s will. The difficult uncertain times and changes that are now going on in our world and in America today might well be the G-d of Israel’s wake-up call for Jewish souls to return to Zion where we are most needed to help with Israel’s survival as a truly Holy nation, as it was intended to be—just as American Christians and American Jews and others have been rising to the occasion to help save America’s constitutional laws and its freedom of religious heritage from various new threats.
So too, Jewish Americans need to rise to the occasion on behalf of Israel’s Jewish G-d given moral and ethical laws and its physical and spiritual survival.
Barbara A Bloom
Owings Mills
Pro Peace?
November 6, 2009Mitchell J. Baird establishes reasonable standards for those organizations that bad mouth Israel but could still be considered as pro-Israel (“Can One Badmouth Israel?” Oct. 30). His list of do’s and don’ts certainly eliminates many groups from being considered as pro-Israel, placing them instead in the category of being the opposite. Included are J-Street, Americans For Peace Now, the New Israel Fund and others who have shown their true colors by recent actions.
Certainly the organizations that have been rapid to condemn Israel for its defensive actions against an entrenched Hamas in Gaza, after southern Israel endured 11,000 rocket and mortar attacks against Sderot and neighboring cities and towns, cannot be considered to be pro-Israel. Nor the groups that have asked that the grossly biased Goldstone report be recognized as appropriate be pro-Israel.
Fortunately, the mask of deceit has been lifted for J-Street, as its leaders have told its student affiliate that they should no longer use the slogan pro-Israel and pro-peace, and instead restrict it to pro-peace, and, when propitious pro-Palestinian and pro-peace, describing their activities accurately.
Nelson Marans
Silver Spring
Quality Of Life
November 6, 2009Thank you for the wonderful story about Gayle Newman’s inspiring work at Weinberg Village (“Rules Of Engagement,” Oct. 23). Gayle is a proud member of the staff of the Jewish Community Center. Funding for her position comes primarily through the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. Working with CHAI and Edgewood Management, Gayle’s commitment and creativity have positively influenced the quality of life for hundreds of seniors in Weinberg Village.
Louis “Buddy” Sapolsky
President, JCC of Greater Baltimore
Beth Am Missing
October 30, 2009Thank you for highlighting the activities of Jewish families in downtown Baltimore in the Oct. 23 iNSIDER article “Urbanite… Suburbanite.”
We couldn’t help but notice that Beth Am Synagogue was not mentioned as a resource for families who live in the city. Beth Am has for more than 30 years been committed to our city neighborhood of Reservoir Hill. Our vibrant congregation and active religious school draw members from neighborhoods throughout Baltimore City and Baltimore County.
Many young Jewish city dwelling families are Beth Am congregants. Members of the greater community are always welcome to join us for our family programming. On Oct. 30, we will have a musical Kabbalat Shabbat, which is ideal for children and adults of all ages. Monthly Tot Shabbats are also open to all. Our weekly Shabbat morning services draw a multigenerational crowd that lingers over Kiddush lunch. We are delighted to welcome guests and visitors.
Julian Lapides, President
Alyson Bonavoglia, Youth Education Committee Chair
Shame, Eh?
October 30, 2009Shame! Shame! Shame!
The BALTIMORE JEWISH TIMES is celebrating 90 years of keeping the Jewish community informed. On Sunday, Oct. 18, at Beth Israel Congregation, the Jewish Educational Alliance (JEA) celebrated 100 years of service to the Jewish Community of Baltimore. More than 450 people attended with guests from all walks of life and from many parts of the U.S. The JEA was honored with proclamations from the governor, mayor, senators and many other elected officials.
Only the JEWISH TIMES could not find the reporter or space to cover this important historical event in Baltimore Jewish history.
Shame! Shame! Shame!
Jerome Sefret
Baltimore
Appalling
October 30, 2009If I understand correctly, among other wonderful traits that were part and parcel of Rabbi Mark Loeb’s personality, it is supposed to be commendable that he performed a commitment ceremony between two women (“Rabbi Mark G. Loeb,” Oct. 16).
I’m appalled that the JEWISH TIMES even printed that letter. I don’t understand how a man who was supposedly such a bastion of Judaism and did all these wonderful things can be praised for something that goes against the basic tenets of the religion he represented. He should have taken a stand and said “No,” regardless of anyone’s feelings being hurt.
I had a phone conversation with him once when I was considering going to a Conservative shul. I told him I wanted a place where men and women could sit together, but that the main tenets of Judaism, such as believing that the Torah came directly from G-d and is immutable, were followed. His response: “Go find another shul.” He was just another leader leading his flock down the wrong path.
Michael Caplan
Baltimore
A Real Pickle!
October 30, 2009The October 23 article “Knish And Tell” on David Sax’s book about Jewish delis brought back many memories of growing up in Northwest Baltimore in the 1940s and 50s.
Some of those memories include frequenting Jewish delis there where one could purchase a hot dog on a roll with a slice of bologna and a pickle for 15 cents, or a corned beef on rye for a quarter and a Coke for a dime!
These delis included: Ballows on W. North Ave. near Pulaski, Nate’s & Leon’s (the best banana cream pie) on W. North Ave. near Linden, Kessler’s on lower Park Heights Ave. near Keyworth, Cooper’s on lower Pimlico Road, Danny’s in the Park Lane Shopping Center on Reisterstown Road & Cold Spring Lane, Uptown Deli on Park Heights Ave. near Roger and Paul’s on Garrison Blvd. & Forest Park Ave. Also, there was Jake’s on Reisterstown Road near the Plaza, the infamous Mandell’s (best New York cheese cake) in the Hilltop Shopping Ctr. on Reisterstown Road & Rogers and Sid Mandell’s in the Woodmoor Shopping Ctr. on Liberty Road.
There were probably others, but these were the ones that I remember frequenting with the guys or after a movie date for a sandwich or some dessert. They are all gone now, and the days and years have passed by all too quickly!
Calvin Polansky
Las Vegas, Nev.
We Have It All
October 30, 2009In the article on urbanite suburbanite the downtown shul at 27 Lloyd St. was left out. B’nai Israel is a very active shul. We have a very active young people group, sisterhood, and services every Friday night and Saturday morning. Our Saturday kiddush is a set down full lunch where we talk with our friends. We also have programs and Friday night dinners.
As a member of the board and president of the sisterhood I would like everyone in the downtown area to come and see our 137-year-old beautiful shul. We really have everything you want.
Sonya Shemer
Baltimore
Disappointed
October 30, 2009The community rejoices in the 90th anniversary of the BALTIMORE JEWISH TIMES and appluds its impact on our community. At the same time, I feel that the 100th anniversary of the Jewish Educational Alliance, celebrated Oct. 18, 2009, at Beth Israel Social Hall, deserved more coverage. Due to philanthropist Michael S. Levy’s family who dedicated the JEA builing at 1216 E. Baltimore St. in his memory in 1909, thousands of youngsters inherited the benefit of a home away from home. The youngsters who received the opportunity to expand their lives through cultural, social, and athletic activities under the guidance of a caring staff blossomed into citizens of stature to become societal leaders in the arts, law, medicine, business, military and civic areas.
Close to 500 attended the Centennial Celebration. Preteen friends of over 50 years ago shared laughter and tears at the warm memories fostered by the JEA. The still functioning JEA Fellowship Association formed by the JEA alumni sponsored this momentous event. The Michael S. Levy family was honored with a plaque presented to Ellen S. Patz and her daughter Susan in gratitude for the original JEA building.
Rae Rossen
Baltimore
Terminal Bias
October 23, 2009President Barack Obama has again proven that he is the most hostile U. S. president toward Israel in recent times by joining the misnamed U.N. Human Rights Commission, thus contributing credibility to that organization.
With its terminal bias toward Israel, fueled by a majority of that body being Muslim and Arab nations, we now contribute, despite our vote, to its credentials to investigate the defensive war waged by Israel that resulted in minimal civilian casualties, considering the tactics of Hamas.
Instead of joining that biased group, we should have cut off a proportionate amount of funding to the UN, representing our antipathy to the so-called Human Rights Commission.
Nelson Marans
Silver Spring
Who Knows?
October 23, 2009In my only journalism course in college I was taught, however you write, whatever you write, accuracy is of prime importance.Yet Amy Landsman’s article on Jewish Downtown stressed the lack of an active Jewish community downtown. If she done a little “homework” she would have discovered an active modern Orthodox synagogue with several hundred members at the same location for over 100 years (27 Lloyd Street), a dynamic rabbi; weekly classes, Sabbath services attended by 50-70+ people, a bountiful Kiddush/social after services, monthly Friday night dinners (this Friday the speaker will be Ron Matz), and an active B’nai Israel Young Adults group (BIYA) that, so far this year has had five weddings and engagements.
So Amy, if you are married, bring your husband and join the group. If you are not married, who knows?
Howard L. Cohn
Baltimore
How To Spend It
October 23, 2009As a Beth El congregant, I have had numerous occasions to get to know Rabbi Loeb. He officiated at my wedding, was at our home for the bris and baby namings of our twins, as well as two b’nai mitzvah of my boys and the bat mitzvah of my daughter.
I do not profess to have an intimate knowledge of the Rabbi. The one thing that I do know is that he was a passionate advocate of the less fortunate. In my opinion Rabbi Loeb would prefer to have had the money that was spent on the memorial ads in the JEWISH TIMES sent to Mazon, which fights hunger. To those organizations who did both I applaud you. To those organizations who placed an ad and did not contribute to Mazon, I humbly encourage you to make a statement on behalf of Rabbi Loeb’s life with a donation to this organization that he felt so deeply about.
Howard S. Bernstein
Pikesville
Like No Other
October 23, 2009There is not enough space nor time to truly describe the impact of suddenly losing Rabbi Loeb. It feels as if even my words are too small and insignificant, to properly honor this once in a lifetime, larger than life presence.
Rabbi Loeb not only talked the talk, he also walked the walk, in addressing social injustice, interfaith relationships, and the inclusion of all Jews in our religious community. He had the courage to stand up for what he felt was right and fair, knowing that he could be faced with opposition from some of his own congregants. He always spoke up for the Jews that felt disenfranchised within their own community, because others viewed them as being different.
Several years ago, he conducted a Jewish commitment ceremony in Beth El’s beautiful Gorn Chapel for two Jewish women. He was kindly joined by both Cantors Thom King, and Rabbi Steven Schwartz. It was the first known commitment ceremony in a Conservative congregation and sparked the attention of many other Conservative rabbis as articles quickly appeared in several Conservative rabbinical magazines across the United States.
Although several of our board members vehemently opposed Rabbi Loeb’s decision, he never backed down, even when his decision was an emotional and unpopular one. In fact, he led the ceremony with grace and respect and in a loving and caring way. He brought Beth El forward, as a progressive and inclusive congregation.
Mark Loeb made me proud to be a Beth El congregant, as he was the epitome of social justice and integrity in a religious leader. And yes, I stood proudly beside Rabbi Loeb when he led that ceremony for my eldest daughter and her partner, as I watched the morning rays of sun shine in to Gorn Chapel, surrounded by loving friends and family.
Yes, Rabbi Mark Loeb left Baltimore and the world a better and more loving place. I will greatly miss him and what he stood for, as there will never be another leader quite like him.
Dr. Patti Friedman
Baltimore
Drug Addiction
October 23, 2009Phil Jacobs’ Oct. 9 article “Party In The Park,” dedicated to raising funds for the Nikki Perlow Foundation described how one family has channeled its own tragic loss into a commitment to save the lives of others affected by drug addiction. Jewish Community Services is proud to partner with the Perlow family in a new outreach and public awareness campaign “If I Knew Then What I Know Now.”
In four powerful videos, local families speak about how alcohol, other drugs and risky behaviors have impacted their lives and the lives of those they love. Members of the Perlow family shared their personal story in one of these videos, “A Parent’s Worst Nightmare.” These stories are at ifiknew.org
Howard Reznick
Senior Manager, JCS Prevention Education
Proper Fontsl
October 23, 2009I was struck by Jack Rosay’s Oct. 9 letter “Offensive Font,” which spoke of remembering the German newspapers in Poland, printed in the Gothic typeface that had continued into mid-twentieth century to be used in Germany and for texts in the German language.
The BALTIMORE JEWISH TIMES’ use of Gothic in the article about the Ten Commandments, I suppose, was suggested as a decorative style appropriate to religious texts as it has been used in English-speaking England and America. Gothic architectural styles also were for a long time felt to be the only appropriate style for Christian churches, particularly Anglican ones, and Roman Catholic churches in English-speaking countries.
I opened a circa 1950 Dover edition of Alexander Nesbitt’s “The History and Technique of Lettering.” He described this printed Gothic, fraktur, as specifically German. “It is difficult, perhaps, to understand chauvinism in typography, but one must realize that it exists,” he wrote. This type of design, he added, is used when “a definite Germanic effect is desired,” but he also noted its association with other Gothic elements, such as in the theories and works of the pre-Raphaelites and Arts and Crafts artists.
My own childhood memories of its use are of decorative signage in Tijuana and Baja, Cal. in the 1940s and 1950s. Buses and taxis, and also shop signs, were lettered in this Gothic style. Later, when I studied German in college and some of my books were in this distinctive typeface, I realized that it must have come to Mexico with the documents and possessions of Jews and others from German refugees. Its baroque quality coincides with other elements of popular styles in Mexico and South America.
Today, as I turn the pages of the prayer book of my children’s great-great-grandfather, Jacob Greenebaum, Jr., I see it is printed in Hebrew and German and was published in Furth in 1854. The German text is in the Gothic typeface, of course. In this case, its use was neither chauvinistic nor religious—the Hebrew, and the words translated, are religious—but simply the everyday written language.
I have no book similar to Nesbitt’s about the history of Hebrew typefaces, but the art of Hebrew type design must be flourishing with the revival of Hebrew through its use in Israel. Decorative styles based on Israeli publishing and especially poster and advertising design might be rich typographical sources for American Jewish publications.
Edna E Heatherington
Glen Ellyn, Ill.
Stevenson U Joy
October 23, 2009Your cover story, “Suddenly A Presence – Stevenson University is turning Owings Mills into a college town in the October 2 issue was excellent. That article evoked many pleasant memories.
As a former Villa Julie Faculty member, I was invited to attend the official dedication of Stevenson University in Owings Mills. What a wonderful evening that was! I was a Secretarial Instructor at Villa Julie College in the early 1970’s, when it was a small, two-year school in one old building.
The presence in Owings Mills “is sudden,” but Stevenson University is “a labor of love.” The presence of Stevenson University is a reflection of the efforts of the early administrators, faculty staff, counselors, advisors, librarians, and numerous dedicated people.
When I was hired as a Secretarial Instructor, I was the only Jewish faculty member. I take pride in those years and my association with the administrators, the faculty staff, and all the other dedicated people who made the two-year, all-girls’ college such an outstanding learning institution.
Irene Siegel
Silver Spring
Ignored
October 23, 2009I was extremely disappointed with Amy Landsman’s “Urbanite… Suburbanite.” She never mentions B’nai Israel Congregation, located at the corner of Lloyd and Lombard Streets, as a vibrant Modern Orthodox shul in existence since 1873 and operating at its 27 Lloyd St. location since 1895.
Our members live in many of the inner city neighborhoods that make up the downtown area such as Little Italy, Butchers Hill, Locust Point, Federal Hill, Fells Point, Brooklyn, Curtis Bay, Lakeland, Mount Claire, Charles Center, Canton, Mount Royal, not to mention Mt. Washington, Upper Park Heights area as well as the surrounding Baltimore County areas of Pikesville, Randallstown, Owings Mills, Lutherville, and Halethorpe then there are those who come in from Columbia area. I’m sure there are other areas I have missed.
The B’nai Israel family is made up of many different inner city neighborhoods as well as outlying ones too. I am sure Beth Am (Up town on Eutaw St.) has such membership as well. B’nai Israel has been in existence to serve the Jews of downtown Baltimore in three different centuries, no other shul in the downtown area can claim that honor today.
I just don’t understand how B’nai Israel Congregation can be ignored in this article.
I invite not only the staff of the Baltimore Jewish Times to attend a shabbos service at BI, but I want to extend an invitation to all the Jews of downtown Baltimore and the surrounding metropolitan area to B’nai Israel. You will be pleasantly surprised by what you see and hear.
Ben Bark
B’nai Israel Congregation Board of Directors
Jews Of Color
October 23, 2009Regarding last week’s article “Jews of Color Unite,” it’s funny how my daughter and I were just talking about the number of other Jews of color we personally know in the Maryland-D.C.-Northern Virginia area.
I thought about 100. I could reach out to a hundred through 6 degrees of Jewish separation but the real number is about half that many. The article stated, “Non-white Jews say they are not only seeking tolerance but also acceptance from the larger Jewish community.” We need resources, and thanks to the Internet we now have them. Websites along with Yahoo and Facebook groups are dedicated to “Jews of Color” and their interests.
Luckily we live in a area with hundreds if not thousands of Jews of Color and a few welcoming Synagogues (although not enough) and even ones that were started and are run by Jews of Color.
Bilnda Pringle
Baltimore
B’nai Israel’s Role
That was a nice warm article Amy Landsman did on the downtown Baltimore Jewish life (“Urbanite… Suburbanite,” Oct. 16). One glaring omission that I hope you can cover in a follow up article: B’nai Israel Congregation, the last surviving downtown synagogue, the oldest continuing congregation in the country, has held services every Shabbat and Holy Day for 135 years, plus offers free adult education classes by Rabbi Alan Yuter that speak to a cross section of society from pious to liberal to curious (Jew and non-Jew)
Miriam Winder Kelly
Lutherville
Correction
October 23, 2009Lee Gordon’s name was left off the recollection “Visit to Elba” about Rabbi Mark G. Loeb last week.
The Oct. 2 profile of Jon Weinstein should have stated that he was vice chair of the college Republicans at Dickinson College for half a year before transferring to Boston University. In addition, he did not have a nephew killed by a drunk diver in Towson, but a neighbor whose nephew was killed.
Polish Hero
October 16, 2009Dr. Marek Edelman, hero of the Warsaw ghetto.
The recent passing of one of the heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto Dr. Marek Edelman should remind us of his unprecedented act of heroism. It started on April 19, 1943 when out of several hundred thousand Jews in the Warsaw ghetto, only 56 thousand remained, the rest having been shipped to death camps. It was the most heroic and self-sacrificing acts of bravery, when the SS troops prepared for a cakewalk when given the order to totally liquidate the ghetto including all the inhabitants in it.
It was Marek Edelman, a well known cardiologist, and Mordechai Anielewicz, when they decided not to be subjugated to be tortured by the Nazis when captured. With a minimum of arms, some pistols, and Molotov cocktails, they confronted oncoming SS troops and started shooting at them. This act of defiance lasted over a week. The Nazis then thought of a prolonged battle, brought in under the command of SS General Jurgen Stroop, a battalion of SS troops with heavy artillery and tanks, destroying the remnants of the Warsaw ghetto.
After the war Dr. Edelman was awarded the highest civilian award by the Polish government. Even so he was very skeptical of the good will of the Poles, having experienced their ugly anti-Semitism before, during, and after the war.
The loss of Marek Edelman should be memorialized no less than the heroism of Bar-Kochba mentioned in American synagogues during any holidays. Is there a guilt complex somewhere for doing nothing in America between 1933 and 1945?
Joseph Kryszpel
Baltimore
Kidnap Or Theft?
October 16, 2009Regarding the recent cover story “Yesterday And Today” on the Ten Commandments. The commandment “Thou shalt not steal” does not refer to not taking what doesn’t belong to you. That is covered elsewhere in our commandments.
In our daily morning services principles are stated for interpreting our commandments. One states that if a commandment is not specific, it must be taken in its context. “Thou shalt not steal” is right up there with prohibitions against murder, adultery, bearing false witness, coveting, etc.—all capital offenses. The only way “stealing” could be a capital offense would be if you stole a person, which would be kidnapping.
Paul P. Botwinik
Baltimore
Peace?
October 16, 2009A solution to the Middle East conflict: Get rid of the Palestinians—not by annihilation. Let their Arab brethren, who have done nothing to relieve their plight, absorb them into their vast lands.
Give the Israelis back all the land that is rightfully theirs after winning all the wars since 1967, wars which were started by the Arabs.
Then you will have grass growing where there is sand. You will have water. You will have trees. You will have crops. You will have education. You will have doctors, lawyers, teachers, merchants and farmers. You will have a thriving, vibrant democracy.
You will have peace.
Martha Pritzker
Pikesville
Off Hours
October 16, 2009I love Phil Jacobs’s description of people who use Shabbos morning as a time to harass teachers, doctors and other professionals (“Not In Shul,” Oct. 9).
One of my friends of many years is an Orthodox medical doctor who suffers from this sort of “out of hours” abuse. One Shabbos morning walking home from shul with his wife in the drizzle, he was approached by a woman complaining of mild symptoms who felt she couldn’t wait until Sunday morning to see the doctor. Standing in the rain on Golders Green Road [London’s equivalent of Upper Park Heights Avenue] she proceeded to describe her symptoms, after which the doctor asked if she would mind undressing so he can examine her! She decided she could wait until Sunday after all.
Joe Feld
London
Quite Hostile
October 16, 2009Jewish support for Obama is fast eroding according to Morton Klein, President of the Zionist Organization of America. According to the Gallop poll Obama’s approval rating among Jews has slipped from 83 percent in January to 64 percent presently.
Since Obama gave his speech in Cairo in which he compared Palestinian suffering to that of Jewish suffering in the Holocaust and compared Palestinian suffering to that of U.S. Blacks before the civil rights movement, he has lost Jewish support. Obama also lost favor when he gave the Presidents Medal of Freedom to Mary Robinson of Ireland and Desmond Tutu of South Africa, both virulent anti-Israel persons. In the UN Obama recently coupled Israeli security with Israel fulfilling Palestinian claims and rights.
He didn’t mention Iran in his Cairo speech, has taken military options off the table and is delaying sanctions. Obama is doing nothing about Iran’s getting nuclear weapons which could destroy Israel and harm the West. He also condemned the 1967,occupation without mentioning Egypt’s starting the war. With Israel in mind, we can agree President Obama’s sympathies and feelings are much like his mentor the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. He is heading in the direction of becoming the most hostile president to Israel in history.
Regina Sztajer
Baltimore
Kosher Farmers
October 16, 2009I want to clarify last week’s article “Taking A Stand” about the Pikesville Farmers Market. My efforts to get kosher certification was directed at the products were manufactured and sold by McCleaf’s Orchards, such as their canned peaches, apple butter and apple cider. The farmers are aware and joyful that all the produce is kosher.
Jayne Levey Charles
Baltimore
Cardin Thanks
October 16, 2009I want to thank Barbara Pash and the JEWISH TIMES for the wonderful article about the new home for the Shoshana S. Cardin Jewish Community High School at the Rosewood Campus. I also express my appreciation to the Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore for its unwavering support of our efforts to secure this prime location as our permanent home.
I also thank Stevenson University for its positive comments about this development. I expect that The Cardin School and Stevenson University will be great neighbors and work together to create a vision of education and open space that will be a model for other communities.
The Cardin School family is extremely excited about being part of the Garrison Forest corridor with its strong educational and religious presence including The Jemicy School, Garrison Forest School, and St. Timothy’s Church, and the nearby Torah Institute. As Stevenson University moves forward and develops the acreage that current plans indicate, the area will truly become a premier spot with green space and an intellectual synergy that should benefit the entire community.
Dr. Arlene E. Bearman
Go Keith!
October 16, 2009Your opening statement in the article about Keith Silberg in last week’s “Having Fun In Business” is true. He seemed like a friend the first time I met him. Keith is a wonderful young man, funny, caring and a great dad.
My husband and I have space at his Big Tarp Flea Market and attend his auctions. The vendors, helpers and customers all make up a wonderful extended family.
I took my copy of the BALTIMORE JEWISH TIMES with me to The Big Tarp Flea market this weekend and Keith just happened to be there. I asked him to autograph the article for me, but he laughed and said “No.” I finally convinced him to do it. I then lent the article to another vendor and others asked to read it. Keith took out his copy and the article made the rounds.
I adore Keith and am proud to be part of The Big Tarp extended family. Way to go, Keith!
Ellen S. Federoff
Baltimore
Stevenson Kudos
October 16, 2009 I was happy to see the feature article about Stevenson University. When I started working at Villa Julie College [now Stevenson University] in 1995 I was delighted to find a workplace where I instantly felt connected, a college that had a true student centered educational focus and a culture of respect and welcome for all.
In the late 1990’s I was asked to be on a committee to look at holiday closings. I suggested closing for Yom Kippur. This suggestion was embraced by the administration out of respect for the Jewish students, faculty and staff.
When I started about 2 percent of the students were Jewish. I wasn’t surprised to see that the Jewish student population has grown to almost 10 percent. This 10 percent is in actual numbers even more significant due to the huge student population growth of more then double what it was when I started.
After 12 wonderful years working at this institution, I left two years ago. I have often recommended Stevenson University to my Jewish and non-Jewish friends’ children and grandchildren. It is not only a place where students get a wonderful education and are prepared for a great career, but where they can grow and mature in an atmosphere that mirrors what we are taught, what we value, ethical behavior, respect for all, how to be the best we can be and how to make the world a better place.
Ellen Mazur Yerman
Owings Mills
Sad Review
October 16, 2009In Kate Ledger’s acclaimed novel “Remedies” (reviewed in the Oct. 2 issue) the main character, a doctor, has seen his professional and family life fall apart. Although an indifferent, unobservant Jew, at his low point he reaches up to seek the ultimate remedy for his troubles in a beautifully written scene in a synagogue on Yom Kippur.
But your reviewer thinks that his turn “to religion for solace and strength, hardly rings true.” How odd and sad. One would least expect a review in the JEWISH TIMES to disparate the redemptive power of religion.
Reading the words of the Amidah, “Open thou my lips,” the fallen man opens his mind and heart to new possibilities of repairing the harm he has done to his family and himself.
It’s a message that all of us in the Jewish community should take to heart, and it’s at the essence of an insightful and inspiring novel.
Myra and Buzzy Hettleman
Baltimore
Holy Space
October 16, 2009I was thrilled to read “Booths Of Bounty” featuring the sukkah I helped Becky Pepkowitz design. I’d never heard of the holiday before, but the idea of creating “a holy space” both temporary and strong was new and very exciting to me. I met the challenge by recycling her previous PVC sukkah, adding nylon netting and incorporating design elements from SoulSukkah.com.
The Sukkah we created requires no metal fasteners, yet stood up to the high winds of last week beautifully. It will be easy to reconstruct year after year. But the best part was the invitation to join Becky and her family and friends for Shabbat dinner in the Sukkah. My crew and our girlfriends had their first Shabbat dinner outside under a roof of hanging grapes, apples, pine boughs and Indian corn. It was an amazing experience. Nobody wanted to leave the sukkah ... even when it started to rain!
William Thomas, President
Monumental Construction Co. LLC
Jewish Downtown
October 16, 2009When exploring the various sukkahs through out Baltimore in the October 9 issue, you profiled some of the sukkahs in East Baltimore (“Booths Of Bounty”). Yet, you made no mention of the Sukkah at Chabad of Downtown located at 132 Lloyd Street. Plus one at B’nai Israel Congregation located at Lloyd and Lombard Streets. There is quite a bit happening in Jewish downtown.
Theodore Jessa
Baltimore